Speaking in relative terms, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is terrible. But the ability to radiate suckage in almost immeasurable ways throughout his organization? That’s the stuff of anti-legend. From ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, who shares a reader email about T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s free agency trip to Minnesota:

I’m a HUGE Vikings fan living in Los Angeles. One of my employees and his brother know T.J. Houshmandzadeh. When asked why he passed on Minnesota, he told them that it was all good until they brought Tarvaris Jackson into talk to him (and basically signal to him that he is their starter). …”

Seifert then does what every other ESPNer would do with a silly reader tip. He confirms it. Wait, what?

We have to be careful about passing along news tips, but in this case Tom’s information is verified. ESPN’s John Clayton reported the same sequence of events last Saturday on ESPN radio. Houshmandzadeh himself said that the presence of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle played a big part in his decision.

Some organizations are said to have a culture of failure. But I’ve never heard of anyone or anything being the kind of Free Agent Kryptonite that Tarvaris was here. Sure, he had a few good games at the end of the year. And they did reach the playoffs. Todd Collins reached the playoffs a short while back, too. Who? Exactly.